175: Chapter 175 Xingjiu Confesses, Imminent Childbirth

She planned to build a large port on the edge of the grassland to develop marine resources and establish fishery-related factories.

The ocean covers as much as eighty-five percent of the Beast World, yet the development of marine resources is less than one percent.

With such abundant resources, she wouldn't be able to sleep at night if she didn't make use of them.

Moreover, the energy contained within sea beasts was significant, which would be greatly beneficial for the development of beastmen.

Previously, the ocean was only harvested by tribes like the Merfolk Clan and the Sea Eagle Beastmen, and they had barely even scratched the surface of marine life.

The main reason was that the number of wild beasts on the Moro Grassland was not enough to feed the beastmen, and she worried that a future food shortage would cause unnecessary conflict.

So, by opening up marine resources, it would be great for everyone to eat sea beasts instead.

Sang Qing had calculated before that as long as the number of beastmen in the Beast World was controlled within ten million, the resources of the Beast World would never be exhausted.

After this disaster, the number of beastmen had dropped to barely two million. There was no need to worry in the short term, but for the long term, they would need to find a solution later.

Chris had no objections; she would help with the planning and coordination however the City Lord arranged it.

Upon returning to Beast King City, Herman was going to follow Chris to study again.

The Little Cubs at home had all been sent to school. Aside from arranging for someone to pick them up and drop them off every day, Sang Qing and the others could finally focus on their own work.

Halfway through the rainy season, not a single day went by without rain.

Sang Qing rarely went out, usually spending her time at home cultivating or discussing matters.

Seeing as she was only a few days away from giving birth, the males at home didn't go out much either, and they seemed even more nervous than she was.

Sang Qing was quite puzzled by this; it wasn't like she hadn't given birth to cubs before, so why were they so nervous?

Their reasoning was that she hadn't given birth in three years, so they were a bit excited.

Heh~

Sang Qing gave them a nonchalant sideways glance.

That day, Sang Qing woke up early.

When she went downstairs, the Little Cubs had just finished eating and were preparing for school.

Seeing their enthusiastic looks, Sang Qing nodded with relief and kissed each of them one by one.

Not bad; as long as they didn't resist going to school, it was fine.

After putting on identical coats, Chi Yu and Herman were responsible for taking them to school today.

Xing Jiu happened to bump into them as he walked in carrying a pile of things.

“Uncle Xing Jiu!” the Little Cubs greeted him enthusiastically.

Xing Jiu quickly broke into a bright smile.

So cute.

“Xing Jiu, why are you here?” Sang Qing was eating and looked up after hearing the Cubs' voices.

Xing Jiu could now enter and leave the manor at will, but he usually only came when Sang Qing was around.

Walking in with the beast-hide bag in his arms, Xing Jiu gave her an affectionate smile. “I found another kind of stone when I went back to the forest earlier, and I wanted to bring it for you to see.”

What if it was also something Qing Qing needed?

“Mm, okay.” Sang Qing motioned for him to sit for a bit.

She would look after she finished eating.

Fu Ning glanced at Xing Jiu and sat beside his mate to assert his dominance.

The thought that Xing Jiu was also a beast coveting his mate made him feel a surge of irritation.

The light in Xing Jiu's eyes dimmed slightly as he sat down obediently.

Sang Qing suddenly felt that this scene was a bit like a confrontation between a primary husband and a secret lover.

Yikes~

She shook her head, quickly driving such strange thoughts from her mind.

After eating, Sang Qing went to the living room. Xing Jiu opened the beast-hide bag and pulled out a palm-sized red stone.

A ruby?

Sang Qing raised her eyebrows in surprise as she took the stone he handed over.

“Where did this come from?”

Looking closely, she couldn't tell for sure what it was, so she decided to let the system scan it.

With a smile on his lips, Xing Jiu looked at the female sitting beside him. His large hand tugged at the corner of her skirt as he spoke softly, “Fu Yi found it near their water source after leading the Tribesmen to wipe out the Beak-mouthed Dragon Tribe.”

He had been wandering the forest with Aqi and saw these things discarded on the ground. Seeing them emit a familiar glow under the sunlight, he thought he should bring them back for Qing Qing to see.

【Scan complete. Blood Red Ruby, a spirit stone type treasure. Estimated value: 3,000 points. Can be listed.】

A spirit stone? Sang Qing paused when she heard the system's broadcast.

No way.

It's worth this much?

Is it useful for my cultivation?

【Host, this kind of gem is useless for you to keep; it's best to sell it.】

The system kindly explained to her.

Alright. Sang Qing propped up her cheek, her brows slightly raised. “Thank you, Xing Jiu. These things are useful to me.”

Very useful.

One piece is worth three thousand; wouldn't this whole bag be worth thirty thousand?

Half of the fifty thousand points she spent building the residential area was back.

Eh, don't say, Xing Jiu's luck is really good. Whether it's jade or this kind of gem, he's just like a treasure-hunting mouse.

Xing Jiu's features relaxed, and his eagle-like eyes sparkled with fine starlight. “As long as it's useful. Then I'll bring you more next time I go back to the forest.”

Regarding the green stones from before, he had also asked Fu Yi to set them aside for him if any were found.

“Sure.” Sang Qing agreed immediately.

Taking advantage of her own man—might as well.

Besides, her points were all spent on the Beast World's infrastructure; she hadn't even used much for herself.

Since it wasn't raining at the moment, Sang Qing had Fu Ning help her put the stones away and then planned to take a stroll in the garden.

Xing Jiu supported her, his posture intimate.

Fu Ning ground his teeth and grumpily threw a punch at his back.

Dammit.

Among the flowers, Xing Jiu held the female's nape with one hand and her waist with the other. He lowered his head to ravish her soft, pink lips, his gaze full of tenderness.

Sang Qing leaned against his chest.

“Mmm...”

Xing Jiu's kiss was very gentle, but it carried a feeling of wanting to keep kissing forever.

Sang Qing blinked and took the initiative, nibbling on his thin lips and prying open his teeth.

Xing Jiu's breathing became slightly hurried, and his ears turned red.

After all, this was only the second time he had kissed the female.

Even though he occasionally visited her after her return, he had no chance to get close to her at all.

Compared to that group of lustful beasts at home, Xing Jiu was honest to a fault. His hands held her properly without wandering... Once the kiss ended, he held Sang Qing, buried his head by her ear to give her a kiss, and pleaded in a low voice, “Qing Qing, don't, don't touch me like that~~”

He knew he couldn't refuse her.

But she was currently carrying cubs; if this continued, his body would catch fire.

His gravelly, rough voice wasn't unpleasant; instead, it carried a charming quality. Heightened by desire, Xing Jiu's voice was like an aphrodisiac poison to Sang Qing.

Sang Qing simply didn't want to let him off.

Fine beads of sweat broke out on Xing Jiu's face, his eyes filled with restrained endurance.

Sang Qing kissed the corner of his mouth, looking at his flushed face. “Endure it~”

He was so good at enduring anyway; three years had passed, so he wouldn't mind this little while longer, right?

Xing Jiu softened, holding her pitifully with a deeply pleading look. “Qing Qing, please don't...”

He was truly uncomfortable.

“Then tell me, what exactly happened with you?” Sang Qing was still brooding over his refusal to pair bond.

Clearly, the way he looked at her and his honest body proved he was interested in her, yet he was actually unwilling to pair bond.

It was very strange.

Unless he had encountered some unavoidable circumstance.

Xing Jiu's body stiffened, his large palm on the female's waist tightening. His thick, crow-feather lashes trembled slightly. “I... I'm fine.”

Fine?

Sang Qing pinched his waist, her smile not reaching her eyes. “Say that again.”

Still lying, are we?

Xing Jiu bit his lip hard, not daring to meet her gaze, yet he let her pinch him. “Really... really...”

Hiss~

Sang Qing applied a bit more force.

“If you don't tell the truth, be careful or I'll throw you out of Beast King City...” Sang Qing threatened him with a fake smile.

Xing Jiu felt completely at her mercy, unable to even struggle.

But... but he really couldn't say it.

He couldn't.

Still not talking? Sang Qing narrowed her eyes, a mischievous smile curling her lips as she whispered in his arms, “Did you know? I have a medicine that, once taken, makes a beast tell the truth. If I find out you're hiding something from me, tell me, will your end be very miserable?”

The soft voice was clearly very pleasant, yet it carried a sense of threat that made one shudder.

Xing Jiu nearly bit through his lip, a single tear hanging precariously at the corner of his eye, which made Sang Qing quite excited.

Forget it, she'd let him off.

Looking at this pitiful appearance—who told her she preferred the carrot over the stick?

But she was still a bit unwilling.

After thinking about it, she suddenly thought of another way.

With a light chuckle, Sang Qing withdrew her hand and stroked his smooth chin, her voice playful. “I also have another medicine that, once taken, can make you forget who I am...”

“No!” Xing Jiu cried out, looking at Sang Qing with a face full of panic as he held her tightly. “No, Qing Qing!”

Bad female, bad female.

“Then will you talk? I'm not joking with you.” Sang Qing snorted, her gaze becoming sharp.

Xing Jiu had no choice. Seeing Sang Qing's determination this time, he hesitated again and again before finally, helplessly, telling her the truth he had been hiding.

“The Witch said my lifespan is only... only less than ten years left.”

Therefore, he couldn't pair bond with Qing Qing.

Xing Jiu's voice was very soft, tinged with sadness and pain. Sang Qing was stunned for a moment.

So, the consequence of that pill for him was a drastic reduction in lifespan?

Looking at the silent female, Xing Jiu's heart panicked, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head. “I'm sorry, Qing Qing. I really didn't mean to deceive you. Don't be angry with me, and... and don't abandon me.”

Like a pitiful creature, he leaned his head toward Sang Qing, holding her with a look of grievance. “Let me stay by your side.”

Counting the three years she was away, the time he had left was truly not much.

Xing Jiu had once thought about not appearing before her and staying far away, but he simply couldn't do it.

It was his own baseness, trying to grasp the last glimmer of light; it was his own thick skin, insisting on staying by her side.

However, Sang Qing was only silent because she was searching the Mall for a medicine to increase his lifespan.

Having found the medicine and snapped back to her senses, Sang Qing pinched his chin. “You dummy!”

She thought there was some massive reason for it.

Xing Jiu's eyes were blank, not knowing what she meant.

He was a dummy?

Well, maybe a little bit.

Sang Qing shook her head and roughly wiped his tears away, kissing the aggrieved corner of his mouth. "Alright, alright, you're not going to die."

Suddenly, she sensed an extremely cold gaze fall upon her.

Turning around, she saw a cloaked figure standing outside the manor, separated by the fence.

He wore a mask on his face, obscuring his features, but the aggressive look in his eyes gave her a start.

But in the blink of an eye, the figure vanished from her sight.

Sang Qing watched the receding figure with a face full of questions.

Xing Jiu wanted to give chase, but she stopped him.

"Could it be a rogue beast?" Xing Jiu asked with a grave expression, looking at Sang Qing with concern.

Who was that beast? Why would he suddenly appear outside the manor to spy on them?

Sang Qing shook her head, looking unconcerned. "The manor is protected by the beast god; no beast can enter without permission."

That gaze was strange, containing many emotions, but it didn't seem to harbor any intent to harm her.

Even if it did make her feel a bit uncomfortable.

She would have Xuan Xiao and Sa Yu investigate when they were free; it wasn't convenient for her right now with her large belly.

Xing Jiu furrowed his brows, extremely uneasy.

But seeing Qing Qing's calm demeanor, he decided to investigate privately on his own.

Sang Qing couldn't stand for long and didn't want to, so she found a chair in the garden and sat down.

Xing Jiu held her hand tightly and sat down cautiously beside her, his face still filled with questions. "Qing Qing, what did you say just now?"

Returning to the main topic, Sang Qing immediately pinched one of his cheeks fiercely, her eyes reproachful. "I said you're stupid."

If he had told her about this sooner, she could have just bought life-extending pills for him from the Mall.

Instead, he kept it hidden. Luckily he had ten years of life left; if it had only been three, wouldn't she have returned to find nothing but his grave?

Xing Jiu tilted his head and nodded blankly.

Yes, yes, yes, he was stupid, he was stupid.

Whatever Qing Qing said was right.

Sang Qing couldn't bear to look at him and gave him a sidelong glance before letting go of his face.

"Just looking at you makes me angry."

He was acting like a bullied little wife, even though she hadn't done anything to him.

"Qing Qing, don't be angry." Xing Jiu leaned his head toward her and nuzzled her obediently, his tone incredibly soft.

He didn't do it on purpose.

His wet, puppy-like eyes looked innocent and pitiful; in Sang Qing's eyes, it truly made her want to ravage him ruthlessly.

Sang Qing, however, was displeased and slapped his back. "Keep your head up and chest out, don't be like this."

Acting spoiled was a playful affection, but constant submissiveness would make him lose his true nature, which was not what she wanted to see.

She loved them, but that didn't mean she wanted to domesticate them.

Xing Jiu immediately straightened his spine and composed himself, though his eyes were still full of tenderness and affection.

"I'm not angry with you, but I hope that if anything happens in the future, you must tell me. Don't bear it alone as a single beast," Sang Qing said to him earnestly, holding his hand.

"Don't worry, your body will be fine. With me here, it won't be a problem."

She certainly wouldn't just watch as something happened to Xing Jiu.

Xing Jiu nodded vigorously, a flash of warmth in his eyes, and reached out to embrace her. "Qing Qing~~"

He really wanted to cling to her like this for the rest of his life.

Sang Qing smiled and patted his head again. "Do you want to move in and live with me?"

It would save him from running back and forth every day.

Besides, Beast King City didn't allow Winged Clan beastmen to fly, except for Guard Beastmen.

"But... but they..." Would Qing Qing's other mates agree?

Xing Jiu looked up, somewhat surprised.

He was tempted, but he didn't dare to hope for too much.

Sang Qing's lips curled up slightly as she stared at the flower bushes in front of her.

"If they didn't agree, they wouldn't have let you into the house before."

She just pitied her own waist; it would inevitably suffer some unspeakable devastation.

Luckily she was pregnant with a cub right now, otherwise she would really have to endure it.

But now that they were cultured and had learned strategy, they had all started keeping track in their little notebooks.

Once she finished giving birth to the cub, she would definitely be doomed.

Thinking back to that half-month in the 'little dark room,' her whole body shivered.

"Qing Qing, are you cold?" Seeing her body tremble, Xing Jiu thought she was cold and quickly took off his clothes to drape over her. "Let's go inside, you can't catch a cold."

Sang Qing shook her head. "It's fine, I'm not cold."

She even reached her hand into his chest to give him a feel, demonstrating her body temperature up close.

Xing Jiu's ears turned red, and he was shy for a few seconds. "How can... how can you be like this..."

She was too 'bad.'

But he liked it.

Xing Jiu happily agreed to move in.

Sang Qing counted the rooms in the house; it was a good thing she had thought about having many Little Cubs back then and built several extra rooms, otherwise there really wouldn't be enough space.

Upon hearing the news that Xing Jiu was moving in, not a single beast in the family wasn't feeling sour.

The entire house was filled with a thick scent of jealousy, along with their resentful glares.

But Sang Qing couldn't be bothered with all that.

She was about to give birth.

Cultivation paused; time to have a baby.

Sang Qing had just finished handling the day's affairs and gone up to the rooftop to prepare for cultivation. She had barely started when she noticed something was wrong down below.

Not only was her belly dropping slightly, but the animal skin mat beneath her seemed wet.

It was a rare cloudy day today with no rain, and she had told herself she could enjoy the breeze on the rooftop, but then... "Fu Ning, Fu Ning!!"

The Little Cubs were away at school. Except for Xuan Xiao and Herman, all the other beasts were home.

She happened to hear Fu Ning watering the flowers in the garden, so she called out to him.

Clutching her belly, Sang Qing didn't rush to stand up.

Hearing his mate's call, Fu Ning looked up. He suddenly realized her tone wasn't quite right; his expression changed, and he dropped what he was holding to rush upstairs.

A gust of wind blew past, and Aniel, who was carrying fruit and preparing to go upstairs, was nearly knocked over. "What are you doing?"

Dead fish!

Don't you have eyes when you walk?

But seeing his hurried pace, Aniel paused.

Was Qing Qing calling someone just now?

Thump, thump, thump!!

Heavy yet careful footsteps sounded as Fu Ning carried Sang Qing down from upstairs, his face tense. "Chi Yu, Chi Yu!"

"Qing Qing is about to give birth!"

Sa Yu, who was hanging clothes, and Xing Jiu, who was preparing food, were both jolted by that sharp cry.

Chi Yu happened to be on the second floor tidying the Little Cubs' clothes. Hearing Fu Ning's shout, he ignored everything else and rushed out.

Whoosh.

Several figures scrambled into the room. Chi Yu pushed aside the nervous, sweating Fu Ning and reached the bedside.

"Qing Qing~"

"Don't rush, don't rush." Sang Qing looked calm, her aura steadier than anyone's.

After all, this was her third litter. She felt she could give birth on her own even without Chi Yu.

Chi Yu took a deep breath and checked the situation in his mate's belly. After confirming everything was fine for a normal birth, he began giving orders. "Fu Ning, go get the Little Cubs' clothes. Sa Yu, clean the cradle. Aniel, go notify Xuan Xiao and Herman. Xing Jiu, help me prepare a basin of hot water."

The things needed for the birth had been prepared by Fu Ning and the others long ago and were kept in a vacant room on the second floor. Once Chi Yu spoke, all the beasts moved into action in an orderly fashion.

Sang Qing had a premonition that this birth would be relatively quick, so she didn't get up to move around. She just had Chi Yu help prop up her back with two pillows.

Chi Yu kissed the back of Sang Qing's hand and went to the walk-in closet to find loose clothing for her.

She was still wearing pants, which wasn't convenient for giving birth.

By the time she had changed, everything was ready.

Fu Ning couldn't care less about formalities; he hopped onto the bed from the other side and came to Sang Qing's side, taking her hand with a worried look.

Xing Jiu was so nervous his hands were shaking, so he had to hide them behind his back and clench them tightly.

He stared at the female on the bed who was still talking and laughing, biting his lip and constantly praying for the beast god's protection.

Oh, right.

"Qing Qing, are you hungry? I'll go prepare some food for you." Standing here was just useless worrying; he might as well think of where he could help.

He had been preparing Qing Qing's afternoon meal just now, and it was almost ready. Qing Qing could eat a little.

Sang Qing touched her belly and felt a bit hungry, so she nodded to him.

Since there wasn't an urgent feeling of labor yet, Chi Yu waited by her side. Sa Yu squeezed him aside and came eagerly to Sang Qing.

Sang Qing found his nervous face amusing and reached out to stroke his hair. "It's fine~"

She was doing great.

Sa Yu couldn't bring himself to smile and looked at her with a face full of worry, kissing her face over and over again.

Just then, Xuan Xiao and Herman ran back like the wind. Sa Yu only felt a flash of something before he was grabbed by the scruff of his neck and tossed aside.

Xuan Xiao took the spot closest to Sang Qing, holding his breath, his eyes filled only with her. "Qing Qing, are you okay? How is it? Does it hurt?"

"No..." She had barely said a word when she felt her belly tighten and a slight pain bloom.

The contractions were getting stronger.

Xuan Xiao's expression changed along with hers. Chi Yu raised his hand, gesturing for him to move aside.

Hiss~

She felt something.

But it wasn't very intense yet.

Sang Qing felt there was no need to take pills to aid the birth. In the Beast World, as long as it wasn't a difficult labor, giving birth was usually very smooth.

Fu Ning pursed his lips. Suddenly, a stunned look appeared on his face, and he pointed behind Chi Yu.

"Vi-vi-vines. Vines."

Vines again.

Why were they here this time too?

All the beasts turned their heads in unison to see a potted plant behind Chi Yu rapidly growing vines, which then branched out and continued to grow.

Then they watched as several vines tangled with each other, rolling clumsily across the floor in an exceptionally comical manner.

Sang Qing frowned, looking at the vines and then at her own belly.

Ah!

She had thought none of the cubs in this litter would have this Supernatural Ability.

To her surprise...